“We’re from a small town, we’ve always been to rodeos, so we wanted to bring the kids here to experience it,” said one mother.

Their favorite event was the third event on Saturday, the “Muttin Bustin’ competition. This was where kids six years and younger rush into Brewer Field and try to ride a sheep. Mom approved, though her children did not participate. “They came for the Muttin Bustin’ that’s what the kids came for. Maybe they will be in it next year, if we can talk them into it,” she said.

Another child, Makiah, 4, tried it, but might not be back to ride the sheep. “It was really scary,” she said.

Makiah was there with her 2 1/2-month-old brother, Levi and her parents, Saree and David.

This year’s rodeo held many other “firsts” for others.

The Los Alamos County Rodeo was the first one Tammy and Arlin Lepp managed by themselves. The couple bought the business last year, and this was the first year putting the rodeo on by themselves, along with a staff that included their grown children, Kalob, 25, and Katie, 21.